So, I got my engine/tranny in and dropped it down off the jacks. I wasn't sure what to expect, with just the donuts on the front. I have new coil springs, which I understand take a hundred miles or so to nest in to their final ride height. I have the old leaf springs in the back yet. checking along the rocker panels, I'm still higher in the front by about an inch.
Does anybody have any idea how much the front rises up when you take off all the sheetmetal, core support, radiator, battery, etc?....or drops when you put it back on?
Rich I think you can throw about 400 lbs on the front radiator support and be close.....
400lbs seems kinda heavy to me, wife and I have moved my front clip a few times without even beginning to strain, that's without radiator or battery which together specially if you're using an Optima wouldn't be as heavy. front bumper and brackets will add a little also.
Zap- :unitedstates:
I agree 100% with ZAP. We have carried those front ends around with no strain also.
It all adds up, radiator, weight of coolant, oil, front clip, hood, battery, I'm guessing 250-300 easily. After you put some miles on it she should settle down a good inch.
More what I was thinking when I misspoke and posted "sheet metal"...I was wondering total weight of everything that wasn't on the car now...so, more like the total weights Bill and Hiball posted.
I was getting curious about where my car was going to end up sitting as it is configured now with the dropped spindles. Also, need to take it into consideration when setting the engine angle. As it sits now, with an 1 5/8 (2x4) spacer on the tranny crossmember, the engine is tilting back about 5 degrees..probably not too far off from where I would like it @ 2-3 degrees once the front end lowers/ rear rises to where I want it.
Man I wish I would have seen this yesterday. I just pulled my entire front clip. Its all packed up a set of stairs now. The front fenders are surprisingly heavy. I think closer to the 400 with all the inners, bumpers, bolts, radiator, core support etc.